Norwegian film satires how people report personal tragedy on Facebook

A dark comedic online short film from the Higton Bros. production company in Norway satires how people present their lives on their Facebook page. The film stars actor Espen Alknes, who portrays Scott Thompson, a man whose life is nowhere near as good as it seems when viewing his Facebook page.

The video shows Scott’s life becoming increasingly worse, yet his status updates spin all his misery in a way to make his the total amount of “Likes” soar.

Producer Andrew Higton told the Daily News in a phone interview from his home is Oslo that he and his brother Shaun came up with the idea while Shaun was looking at his profile’s news feed.

“He was looking at all these posts and seeing people having a wonderful time and traveling to all of these places,” he said. “He was like, ‘Wow, people really can’t be this happy.’ That’s when it started.”

Shaun directed the video that introduces Scott and his ho-hum life, which spruces up with some white lies for his status updates. He then continues with the charade even as his life goes spiraling downhill.

“We’re not slamming social media. Without social media we would not have 3 million views (of the video),” Andrew said. “It’s a film to make you think. People are always looking for likes; it’s kind of narcissistic. Are we presenting ourselves the way we want people to see us or are we presenting ourselves the way we really are?”

The film is a comedy, though very dark, as the main character endures some major setbacks in quick unison.

“When you make a short film you have to be very precise,” Andrew said. You trim the fat. We don’t explain what happens in between- (the audience) has to decide that on their own. You make (Scott’s life) worse and worse and worse to make a point.”

People are always looking for likes; it’s kind of narcissistic. Are we presenting ourselves the way we want people to see us or are we presenting ourselves the way we really are?

Though some don’t agree with the concept or get the humor, others have admitted this is what they do on Facebook, Andrew said.

“You always post a good picture about yourself. There’s nothing wrong with that, but are you doing it to look for recognition from other people?” Andrew said. “I don’t think it’s Facebook doing anything wrong. People have that need for recognition.”